Parisa Burton 
Montclair’s secondhand-loving parents just got a new destination to shop for gently used kids’ clothes + gifts. A new kids’ consignment shop just moved into town on May 7th at 42 Fairfield Street. Read on to learn more about the story behind Middle Child Kids Consignment and its new storefront in Montclair, NJ.
About Middle Child Kids Consignment
Founded by Montclair resident Lacey Triplett Thistle, Middle Child Kids Consignment originated as an online shop in early 2025. It quickly expanded its reach and customer trust through in-person pop-ups at local street fairs and flea markets, including The Montclair Flea and Maplewood’s Baker Street Flea.
Read More: A Guide to Thrift Stores + Antique Shops in Montclair
Lacey told The Montclair Girl that her goal is to fill a gap she experienced firsthand as a parent: a curated, high-quality yet affordable shopping experience for kids. The store also helps families pass along outgrown clothing, helping give those items a second life.
The majority of clothing comes from parents in Montclair and surrounding communities. Middle Child Kids Consignment currently has 68 registered consignors, 50 of whom have items in the shop right now.
Lacey told MG that the process of opening a brick-and-mortar store was less tedious than starting from scratch, since she was already operating the business from her home and had her systems, supplies, and inventory in place. Her biggest challenge, however, was shifting into “investment mode” after previously keeping overhead costs as low as possible.
“Renovating and outfitting a retail shop space is no joke, and I couldn’t have done it without my family,” Lacey said. “My husband, dad, sister, mom, and stepdad all pitched in to help me transform the space and bring the vision to life.”
Lacey’s goal from the start was to open a physical space, but she first wanted to gauge community engagement for both consigning and shopping. To give herself time to test the concept, she launched a website with nationwide shipping and began hosting pop-ups. At these events, she saw tremendous support from parents who kept coming back, with each event proving more successful than the last.
“Parents couldn’t seem to get enough,” Lacey said. “I received consistent verbal interest and encouragement throughout the year. Last October I had a booth at Maplewood’s incredible Baker Street Flea and the results made my husband and I think, ‘Okay, this could really work.”
See More: The Best Thrift Stores in Hoboken + Jersey City – Hoboken Girl
New Montclair Space
Middle Child Kids Consignment features a curated selection of clothing for babies and older kids along with toys, crafts, and other fun items sourced from local small businesses and priced affordably.
The most rewarding part of the whole experience for Lacey has been repeat customers who come in with wholesome stories. She recalled a grandmother showing her a picture of her granddaughter from picture day wearing a secondhand dress from the shop.
“It’s so wonderful to see the second life that items are having,” Lacey said. “I even have some of my own items in the mix….selling some of my daughter’s rainboots in the shop recently was bittersweet.”
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10AM-5PM + Saturdays from 11AM-4PM. You can also shop for items through its website here. The new space welcomes consignors to come in during the week, while weekends are reserved for shopping.
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